Strap grip

ABSTRACT

A strap grip is a bag accessory strap that collectively retains a plurality of carrying straps together on the user&#39;s shoulder or arm. Strap grip allows multiple bags to be carried and does not require any adhesive measures to do so. A protective pad prevents the strap from marring the surfaces of the plurality of carrying straps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to strapped accessory items and, more particularly, to the carriage of strapped accessory items.

When carrying one or multiple bags, the carrying straps are prone to sliding off wearer's shoulder and/or not staying together making it necessary to find an alternative way to carry all bags. Other devices in the art require adhesive measures that are applied to the bag straps themselves which can damage the quality and appearance of the bag. These other devices cannot be removed easily nor are they reusable.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved strap grip that allows a plurality of carrying straps from one or more accessory bags to be carried that does not require any adhesive measures or modification of the bag's carrying straps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a strap grip for collectively retaining a plurality of carrying straps of at least one strapped accessory item. A first connector is attached to a first end of the strap and a cooperating second connector is attached to a second end of the strap. The connectors are selectively joinable to form a close fitting retaining loop about the plurality of carrying straps. A pad is attached to an inner surface of the strap at an intermediate position between the first end and the second end and provides a protective layer between the strap and the plurality of carrying straps. The first connector and the second connector may be configured as a cooperating buckle assembly.

The length of the strap is adjustable about at least one of the first connector or the second connector. The length of the strap is selected such that an excess length of the strap is completely carried within the retaining loop when the first connector and the second connector are cooperatively joined about the plurality of carrying straps. The strap may be formed of a nylon/polypropylene web or leather material and derivatives of such materials.

In some embodiments, one of the first end and the second end are secured to one of the first connector and the second connector at a fixed connection. The pad is attached adjacent to the fixed connection.

Other aspects of the invention include a method of carrying a plurality of carrying straps of one or more strapped accessory items. The method includes providing a strap grip, forming the strap grip in a close fitting loop about the plurality of carrying straps; and joining the first connector and the second connector. The method may also include rotating the strap grip so that the pad is positioned beneath the plurality of carrying straps. The strap grip may then be placed in a carrying location on a user's shoulder or arm. The method may further include releasing the first connector and the second connector and separating the plurality of carrying straps. The length of the strap may be adjusted to accommodate the plurality of carrying straps in the close fitting loop.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the strap grip shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the strap grip;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the strap grip;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the strap grip; and

FIG. 5 is a section detail view of the strap grip taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a strap grip for collectively retaining a plurality of carrying straps of at least one accessory item. The accessory item may include one or more of a purse, a hand bag, a satchel, a clutch; a carrier for a mobile computing device, and the like.

The strap grip 10 includes a strap 16 having a first end, a second end, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a length. A first connector 12 attached to the first end of the strap 16 while a cooperating second connector 14 is attached to the second end of the strap 16. The strap 16 may be formed from any suitable fabric or material, and is preferably woven a nylon or polypropylene web.

The first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are selectively joinable to form a close fitting retaining loop about the plurality of carrying straps 26 of the one or more strapped accessory items 24. Preferably, the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are cooperating buckle elements.

As seen in reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, a pad 18 is attached to the inner surface of the strap 16 at an intermediate position between the first end and the second end. The pad 18 provides a protective layer between the strap 16 and the plurality of carrying straps 26. The pad 18 may be formed of any suitable material, may preferably formed from a patch of pile material of a hook and pile fastener.

The length of the strap 16 is adjustable about at least one of the first connector 12 or the second connector 14, such as a threaded engagement in an attachment end of the connector 14. The strap 16 may be retained to the connector 14 via a segment 19 of pile material or by doubling the free end thereof and stitching it to the strap 16. In certain embodiments, one of the first end and the second end are secured to one of the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 in a fixed connection, such as a loop about an attachment end of the connector 12. Preferably, the pad 18 is attached adjacent to the fixed connection such that the pad 18 is oriented at a fixed location on the inner surface of the strap 16, which facilitates positioning of the strap grip 10 to collectively carry the plurality of carrying straps 26.

As best seen in reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the length of the strap 16 is selected such that an excess length of the strap 16 is completely carried within the retaining loop when the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are cooperatively joined about the plurality of carrying straps 26. The length of the strap 16 may be adjusted by the threaded attachment with at least one of the first connector 12 and the second connector 14. By this arrangement, the strap grip 10 provides conceals a free end of the strap 16 for a clean presentation, without a free end of the strap 16 dangling from the strap grip 10.

According to other aspects of the invention, a method of carrying a plurality of carrying straps 26 of one or more strapped accessory items 24, includes providing the previously described strap grip 10. The strap grip 10 may be formed in a close fitting loop about the plurality of carrying straps 26 and joining the first connector and the second connector. The strap grip 10 may be rotated about the cooperatively joined straps 26 so that the pad 18 is positioned beneath the plurality of carrying straps 26. The strap grip 10 may then be placed on a carrying location on a user's shoulder.

In use, the strap grip 10 facilitates the collective carriage of a plurality of carrying straps 26 for one or more accessory items 24. The strap grip 10 prevents one or more of the plurality of carrying straps 26 from sliding off the user's shoulder or arm.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A strap grip for collectively retaining a plurality of carrying straps of at least one accessory item, comprising: a strap having a first end, a second end, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a length; a first connector attached to the first end of the strap, a cooperating second connector attached to the second end of the strap, the first connector and the second connector selectively joinable to form a close fitting retaining loop about the plurality of carrying straps; and a pad attached to the inner surface of the strap at an intermediate position between the first end and the second end, wherein the pad provides a protective layer between the strap and the plurality of carrying straps.
 2. The strap grip of claim 1, wherein the pad is formed of a patch of pile material.
 3. The strap grip of claim 2, wherein the length of the strap is adjustable about at least one of the first connector or the second connector.
 4. The strap grip of claim 3, wherein the length of the strap is selected such that an excess length of the strap is completely carried within the retaining loop when the first connector and the second connector are cooperatively joined about the plurality of carrying straps.
 5. The strap grip of claim 4, wherein the strap is one of a nylon or a polypropylene web.
 6. The strap grip of claim 5, wherein the first connector and the second connector are configured as a cooperating buckle.
 7. The strap grip of claim 6, wherein one of the first end and the second end are secured to one of the first connector and the second connector at a fixed connection.
 8. The strap grip of claim 7, wherein the pad is attached adjacent to the fixed connection.
 9. A method of carrying a plurality of carrying straps of a plurality of strapped accessory items, comprising: providing a strap grip comprising: a strap having a first end, a second end, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a length; a first connector attached to the first end of the strap, a cooperating second connector attached to the second end of the strap, the first connector and the second connector selectively joinable to form a close fitting retaining loop about the plurality of carrying straps; and a pad attached to the inner surface of the strap fixed at an intermediate position between the first end and the second end, wherein the pad provides a protective layer between the strap and the plurality of carrying straps; forming the strap grip in a close fitting loop about the plurality of carrying straps; joining the first connector and the second connector; and suspending the plurality of straps on a user's shoulder.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: rotating the strap grip so that the pad is positioned beneath the plurality of carrying straps.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: positioning the strap grip in a carrying location on one of a user's shoulder or an arm.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: releasing the first connector and the second connector; and separating the plurality of carrying straps.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising: adjusting the length of the strap to accommodate the plurality of carrying straps in the close fitting loop.
 14. A strap grip for collectively retaining a plurality of carrying straps for two or more fashion accessory items, comprising: a strap having a first end, a second end, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a length; a first connector attached to the first end of the strap, a cooperating second connector attached to the second end of the strap, the first connector and the second connector selectively joinable to form a close fitting retaining loop about the plurality of carrying straps; and a pad attached in a fixed position to the inner surface of the strap at an intermediate position disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the pad provides a protective layer between the strap and the plurality of carrying straps. 